Unwrapping Heavens Greatest Gift
John 3:12-17
Introduction:
Just a few days before Christmas, a postal worker at the main post office found an unstamped, handwritten, envelope addressed to God. Curious, he opened it and discovered that it was from an elderly woman who was in great distress because all of her savings—$200—had been stolen. As a result, she wouldn't have anything to eat for Christmas.
The man went to his fellow postal workers and took up a collection for the woman. They all dug deep and came up with $180. Putting the money in a plain envelope, with no note or anything, the postal workers sent it by special courier to the woman that very day. A week later, the same postal worker noticed another unstamped letter that had been addressed to God in the same handwriting. In it, he found a brief note:
"Dear God, Thank you for the $180 that you sent me for Christmas, with out this gift, it would have been a bad Christmas. P.S. It was $20 short, but that was probably those thieving postal workers."
What are you hoping to receive this Christmas???
American Express did a survey recently and found that 31% of people said that receiving a “fruitcake” would be the worst gift of all. In fact, more people indicated that given a choice between a "fruitcake" and receiving nothing at all, they would choose “nothing.” The survey then went on to find out how people get rid of a gift that they don't want.
*30% hide it in a closet
*21% return it
*19% give it to someone else
We all know the Bible says that it is “more blessed to give than to receive.” However, as we approach Christmas, with all of the giving and the receiving, even the biggest Scrooge among us likes to receive a gift. For many, including myself, one of the best parts of receiving a gift is the anticipation and the excitement that comes the unwrapping of that gift. We are thinking, “I wonder what it is?”; “Is it what I want?”; “I hope I won't look disappointed if it isn't!”. Everyone in this room knows exactly what I am talking about!
Well, regardless of whether you get a new i phone 6, a new set of lady bug slippers, or that new car you have been dreaming of, none of that matters!
I want you to know the greatest and best gift that has ever been given is the Love of Jesus Christ. And, once you open this gift, you will never want to return it, and you will never be the same!
The Apostle Paul, when gazing at the gift that was given to him, said in 2 Corinthians 9:15 : “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” Paul, who was never at a loss for words as one of the best preachers of all time, when pondering the Love of Jesus, could only say, “I can't describe Him. All I can do is fall on my knees and thank God for His inexpressible gift."
In our text this evening, John the Baptist writes about the great, unspeakable gift of God. He helps us to understand Jesus and His Love a little more clearly. He helps us If you will, to unwrap Heaven's greatest gift. I would like for us to take some time this evening to look into God's word. I want us to see what the Lord gave us when He gave us His Love. I want us to be excited about His gift and I want us to fully appreciate who Jesus is and what He has done for us. I want to preach for a few minutes on this thought: "Unwrapping Heaven's Greatest Gift."
*** STAND *** READ *** PRAY ***
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
Contrary to popular belief, Jesus Christ did not have His beginning in Bethlehem! He was born there as an infant, but He has been around for all eternity. In fact, He is the great “I AM”! He is the agent behind creation
> His mission was planned before the world was created, but it was carried out on this earth over some 2,000 years ago! ~**God didn't just give us baby Jesus on that first Christmas He gave us Love** and that love was in the flesh of His son Jesus
Friends!: This wasn't man's plan or the Southern Baptist's plan. It was a plan born in the heart of God - born in His love for you!
The greatest verse in all the Bible on the love of God is John 3:16 this is the verse I want to focus on this evening. Its theme is the gift of love.
“So loved” states that God’s love for us was very great. The rest of the verse gives details about this greatness.
There is five details here of God’s great love that I want you to see as we unwrap this great gift.
I) Perimeter of God’s love.
God loved the “world.” That is the perimeter of His love and shows the greatness of His love. No perimeter of love is so large. No love has embraced so many as God’s love. If we love a few neighbors, relatives, friends and most of our family, we think we are filled with love. But compared to the perimeter of God’s love, we have not even begun to love.
II) Proof of God’s love.
“Gave” is the proof of God’s love. It is the proof of any love. And what one gives shows the extent of the love. God gave His Only Son, Jesus Christ, to be our Savior. It was the greatest gift ever given; this emphasizes the greatness of God’s love. If you say you love God but are stingy with helping others, you do not love God much. Real love will give generous. Matthew 22:37-40 (NKJV) 37 Jesus said to him, "'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."
III) Prudence of God’s love. ("Prudence" - noun - forethought; regard for ones own interest)
“Gave his only begotten Son.” True love gives the best gifts. Love is discerning and wise. God gave us exactly what we needed on that first Christmas. No other gift was so needed, so profitable, so fitting as the gift He gave us.
IV) Protection of God’s love.
“Shall not perish.” Love protects the one that is loved. And the protection God gives is the best protection of all, for it is eternal protection and it is permanent protection.
V) Provision of God’s love.
“Shall have everlasting life.” God’s love provides Life, Grace And the greatness of His love is seen in the greatness of the life He has provided. This life is not a second rate life it is not a life to be taken lightly but is the best life of all. Furthermore, the life He gives is everlasting life. It will never end. All of this proves that God’s love is great indeed it's the greatest gift ever given
Conclusion:
As I think about unwrapping Heaven's great gift, I get excited to think about all Jesus is and all He has done for us. I just want to shout! and bless His Name for using a worthless man like me! Hallelujah!
But, I wonder about you! Are you saved?
You know, before a gift can become what it was designed to be, it must first be given, then it must be received. (ILL.opening the gift, “I wonder what it is?”; “Is it what I want?”; “I hope I won't look disappointed if it isn't!”. )
>INVATION-SONG:<
God has given His gift to the world. We have tried to unwrap Him just a bit this morning.
God has given the gift. Have you received His gift for yourself?
If not, there would be no better time to do that than right now.
Some of us have received the gift, but you don't really seem very thankful for it. Don't you hate giving someone something and they respond with ingratitude?
I wonder how God must feel when He sees how we treat His gracious, priceless and perfect gift. Maybe you need to come and thank Him for His great “unspeakable gift”. Maybe you need to come before Him and get back to the place in your life where you lived like His gift meant something to you.
Only you and the Lord know your heart today. You do what He is telling you right now
